As the Atlanta Hawks aim to push their win streak to three, Saturday night’s matchup against the red-hot Charlotte Hornets comes with a few moving parts-especially when it comes to their newly acquired players.
The Hawks (26-27) will wrap up a two-game homestand at State Farm Arena, tipping off against the Hornets (24-28) at 7:00 p.m. ET. But while the focus is on continuing their upward momentum, there’s still some uncertainty surrounding the availability of veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield, who remains listed as questionable due to a “trade pending” designation.
Hield arrived in Atlanta earlier this week via trade with Golden State, and though he’s not expected to be a game-changer in terms of volume scoring, his ability to space the floor could be a valuable asset for a Hawks team that’s looking to solidify its identity heading into the stretch run. In his final game with the Warriors-a 113-94 loss to the Sixers-Hield tallied nine points, three boards, three assists, and three steals in 28 minutes.
He went 4-of-11 from the field and missed all four of his attempts from deep. It wasn’t a banner night, but it was a snapshot of the kind of versatile production he can bring off the bench.
On the season, Hield is averaging eight points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.3% overall and 34.4% from beyond the arc. He’s played in 44 games this year, mostly in a reserve role, logging 17.5 minutes per night. While those numbers may not jump off the page, his veteran presence and perimeter shooting could offer some much-needed stability to Atlanta’s second unit-if he’s cleared to suit up.
The Hawks didn’t just land Hield in that deal-they also brought in 23-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga. But fans eager to see the high-flying forward in action will have to wait. Kuminga is out for Saturday’s game with left knee bone bruising, also tagged with a trade pending designation.
Kuminga, who had been carving out a more consistent role before the injury, is averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this season, shooting 45.4% from the field and 32.1% from three. He’s appeared in 20 games, starting 13 of them, and averaging 23.8 minutes per contest.
His last outing came back on January 22 against Dallas, where he posted 10 points, two assists, two steals, and a rebound in just nine minutes before exiting. He was perfect from the field and the line that night-3-for-3 from the floor and 4-for-4 at the stripe-highlighting the kind of efficiency and athleticism he can bring when healthy.
While the status of Hield and Kuminga remains in flux, the Hawks did get a bit of good news on the injury front. Gabe Vincent, acquired from the Lakers at the trade deadline along with a second-round pick in exchange for Luke Kennard, is available and expected to make his Atlanta debut Saturday night.
Vincent brings a different kind of value to the backcourt. At 29, he’s a steady hand and a capable defender who can give the Hawks some flexibility with their guard rotations.
He’s averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 assists per game this season, shooting 34.6% from the field. But he’s also hitting a career-best 36.9% from three and an eye-popping 90.9% from the free throw line-numbers that suggest he can be a low-usage, high-efficiency contributor in spot minutes.
In his last game for the Lakers-a 125-109 win over Brooklyn-he didn’t score but chipped in two steals, a rebound, and an assist in 16 minutes.
All of this comes as the Hawks prepare to face a Hornets squad that’s suddenly found its rhythm. Charlotte enters Saturday riding an eight-game win streak, the longest active run in the league. Their surge has been fueled by a renewed commitment on the defensive end and a balanced offensive attack that’s made them one of the most dangerous teams in the East over the past few weeks.
For Atlanta, the challenge is twofold: keep the momentum going while figuring out how to integrate new pieces on the fly. With Hield’s shooting, Kuminga’s athleticism (once healthy), and Vincent’s steady presence, the Hawks have added depth and versatility. But chemistry takes time-and Charlotte isn’t the kind of team you want to be figuring things out against right now.
Tip-off is set. The Hawks are looking to build something.
The Hornets are trying to prove their streak is no fluke. Something’s got to give.